History

More than 30 years ago, a group of distinguished citizens of varying ages, including several seniors, gathered to found a Hall of Fame dedicated to honoring senior citizens of the State of Maryland who have made exemplary contributions to society. The Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame was incorporated in January 1987. It serves to recognize, acknowledge, and honor the volunteer civic and humanitarian accomplishments and achievements of individual Maryland senior citizens.

Each year, nominations are accepted and reviewed by the Selection Committee. Maryland senior citizens 65 years of age or older who have made outstanding volunteer contributions affecting the lives of people in the State of Maryland are eligible. A maximum of 50 qualified nominees are inducted into the Hall of Fame each year..

Recipients are inducted at the Annual Awards Luncheon held in October. All inductees receive a membership certificate, the official MSCHF lapel pin, and are featured in the annual coveted Blue Book. A copy of the book is presented to each honoree; and a copy is placed in the Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame archives at the University of Baltimore’s Langsdale Library.

Of these recipients, a maximum of five are also selected to receive the prestigious GERI Award. As the arts and sciences have their Grammy, Emmy, Tony, and Oscar, so do the senior citizens of Maryland have their GERI — the geriatric “Nobel Prize” for extraordinary humanitarian community service.

The Story of the GERI Award

An original sculpture of baby’s hand in the palm of an adult hand was specially designed to represent the admired philosophy of our maturing population, namely, to give meaning and worth to the later years. Thus, the hand of the older person holding the hand of the child signifies understanding and love between generations. The GERI symbol depicts the intrinsic value of service to others regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, or handicapping condition.

GERI is a tangible expression of the leaving of a memory, a legacy, indeed a shining symbol of the fundamental value of giving and serving. The tenderness of the child is entwined with the strength and wisdom of the older person.

The Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, Inc., seeks to immortalize men and women and to record their names in the Archives of the Hall of Fame for all time because of their caring and volunteer efforts in improving the lives of others.